PARLIAMENTARY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1055, 14 November 1877, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

Last Might’s Proceeding's. Wellington, November 11. After the division on the question of assess# ment of the Canterbury runs, Mr J. C»

Brown objected that several members per sonally and pecuniarily interested in tin matter at issue had voted. He named M i Murray-Aynsley, Mr Richardson, Mr Roi lestou and others. Mr Murray-Aynsley bein ( called on, said the Bill simply imposed a rutin the way of assessment alter 1880. Ho cout not say he would have any interest in any rm after that date. Noproperty holder could voU on any rating Bill if he was held debarred from voting on these matters on ground oi having a direct pecuniary interest in it. He denied having any such interest. After considerable discussion, Mr Brown withdrew his objection. Mr Montgomery suggested that the Waste Lands Board was not the proper body to assess tho value of runs, and moved an amendment that the runs should be assessed in the same way as compensation claims were assessed under part 3 of the Public Works Act, 1876. Tho amendment was not pressed. Clauses 98 to 109, inclusive, were passed without material alteration. On clause 110, which extends the tenure of the leases, Mr Stout moved that the term be reduced from ten to five years, to terminate in 1885. Mr Rees said if the ten years tenure was carried, ho would use every effort to get it altered, or repealed altogether next session. He theret ire urged the Canterbury members to agree to live years as a fair compromise. Sir Q-. Q-rej opposed the ten years tenure as unjust to thi public, with whose lands the House was dealing as trustees. He objected to a valuable monopoly being given to a few to the loss [and expense of the many. The matter really affected the taxation of the country, and was one of general interest to the colony, not a more Canterbury question. It should not be finally settled till after a general election. He would, however, although rather unwillingly, agree to five years’ extension. Mr Wakefield thought Sir G. Grey entirely misunderstood the position of the matter. Free selection extended over the whole of tho lands, and it was only a right to depasture stock on them till they were purchased which was given to the runliolders. He strongly urged the desirability of giving ten years’ tenure. Ho objected altogether to putting up the runs to auction, as unjust to poor runliolders and unduly favourable to large companies and rich men. After considerable further discussion the amendment in favour of five years was negatived, on a division, by 36 to 2S. On clause 112, Mr Stout moved that pre-emptive rights should terminate in 1879 instead of 1880. Mr Rolleston opposed this, and it was negatived. The remaining clauses were agreed to without substantial alteration. The schedules and appendices were postponed till Friday, Progress was reported, and the House rose at 1.35 a.m. [PER PRESS AGENCY.] Native Affairs Statement. It is very probable that Mr Sheehan will not be able to make his statement on Native affairs to-night, as ho is now suffering from an attack of quinsey, which came on late last night.